Joe Haldeman

Joe Haldeman was wounded in the Vietnam War, and had a hard time adjusting to civilian life once his service was over. He dealt with these difficulties by writing The Forever War (1974), a brilliant book that went on to win the Nebula, Hugo, and Locus awards. It tells the story of a war between humanity and a mysterious alien species known as the Taurans. Through a science fiction lens, Haldeman poignantly explores themes that will hit home for any veteran, or anyone who knows a veteran: the bureaucracy of war, sympathy for the enemy, and "future shock," which is the novel's version of the painful emotional shift soldiers often endure after returning home. Good news for any film buffs: Ridley Scott has decided to adapt the book to the screen, and it's currently in pre-production.